I'm Sold On Hybrids!

[Cmar]

CVTs don't really shift. It is kind of like an advanced version of the centrifugal clutch that was on go karts really. We've had our C-Max for 8 years now - it has been the most reliable vehicle we've ever owned and we are getting about 40 MPG with it. Funny thing is it was built in the same factory my Ranger was built in!

It does take some getting used to when starting it up. You hear NOTHING - until it determines it needs the engine turned on. It was so weird when we first got it - it took me quite a while to become accustomed to it.

I really wish they would offer a hybrid Ranger (plugin hybrid would be best). Maybe some day.....

Oh they do, just not in the USA!

https://www.ford.com.au/showroom/electric/phev/ranger/

And these things have been selling like hotcakes here too, dirt cheap, (comparatively) and whatever you might think of Chinese vehicles actually really well built equipped and finished.

https://bydautomotive.com.au/shark-6

Sponsored

 

[RedlandRanger]

Oh they do, just not in the USA!

https://www.ford.com.au/showroom/electric/phev/ranger/

And these things have been selling like hotcakes here too, dirt cheap, (comparatively) and whatever you might think of Chinese vehicles actually really well built equipped and finished.

https://bydautomotive.com.au/shark-6

Yeah, I know they make them for the rest of the world.... We just don't get the good stuff here.

And the TFL guys did a segment on that Shark truck - it did look pretty nice honestly. The Chinese have really upped their game. My biggest question/concern would be how they hold up over time. I think only time will tell on that question....

 

[Cmar]

Yeah, I know they make them for the rest of the world.... We just don't get the good stuff here.

And the TFL guys did a segment on that Shark truck - it did look pretty nice honestly. The Chinese have really upped their game. My biggest question/concern would be how they hold up over time. I think only time will tell on that question....

Yes everyone here is saying the same thing - so far so good, but it's early days yet. Some local enthusiasts have managed to break them, but honestly what they did might well have broken any truck and 99% of potential owners would never do. Even those who broke them were still pretty impressed with their performance. Their electric cars have a good name here and they've been around for a few years now.

 

[ctechbob]

Stands to note.

The 'CVT' in the Toyota FWD cars and the Ford Escape/Maverick/Etc is not the normal problem plagued belt design. It is far more sophisticated. I'm not going to even try to explain it, but here's an excellent video that will. There is essentially not much that can break in the normal sense. It is all gears and motors. Toyota has added some things over the years, but this is the basic overview.



Also.

I just got 27mpg out of my F150 Powerboost driving back and forth to work. Not typical for me, but an astounding number for sure.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Stands to note.

The 'CVT' in the Toyota FWD cars and the Ford Escape/Maverick/Etc is not the normal problem plagued belt design. It is far more sophisticated. I'm not going to even try to explain it, but here's an excellent video that will. There is essentially not much that can break in the normal sense. It is all gears and motors. Toyota has added some things over the years, but this is the basic overview.



Also.

I just got 27mpg out of my F150 Powerboost driving back and forth to work. Not typical for me, but an astounding number for sure.

Here’s a look inside our Escape PHEV transmission. While in for an oil change the saw signs of transmission fluid leaking. Was seeping at the case halves and they found that it had been improperly sealed at the factory. Fixed under warranty.

 

[Chris M]

I was

Here’s a look inside our Escape PHEV transmission. While in for an oil change the saw signs of transmission fluid leaking. Was seeping at the case halves and they found that it had been improperly sealed at the factory. Fixed under warranty.

Do yall ever stop to consider how amazing the mental gymnastics have to be to create such a complicated piece of equipment?
DANG!

 

[ctechbob]

Do yall ever stop to consider how amazing the mental gymnastics have to be to create such a complicated piece of equipment?
DANG!

Yep, every time I look at a transmission, almost of any kind I think of the people that thought this stuff up.

 

[Griswald]

I just traded my 2017 Kia Niro hybrid in on a 21 Ranger. Before that, I had a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. About 250,000 miles driving hybrids. They are amazing. No lack of power and still get over 45 mpg.

Why aren't all cars hybrid, trains have been doing it for a century.

 

[NotBudule2]

We rented this to do a few projects around the plant (yes , im still there limping about) and it is AWSOME compared to fuel only, just the noise factor alone...

 

[AzScorpion]

I guess I could go full EV but still call it a hybrid.

 

[Texasota]

Here is a quote from Jim Farley from his three day “Ford From The Road” adventure in a Bronco Badlands Sasquatch

Customers also shared that they want more power options, not just for the vehicle, but to run their gear at campsites and on jobsites. This trip helped me think hard about what to offer in the U.S. and globally as we balance capability, range, and affordability. I’m so moved by what our Bronco team has accomplished, and I can’t wait for customers to see what we do next!

You can take this as saying that a hybrid Bronco with Pro Power Onboard is coming. Count on it. And since the Bronco and Ranger are the same T6 platform built on the same assembly line you can also count on the Ranger getting the same hybrid system with PPOB.

More: from Ford Authority

 

[TJC]

On the strength of OP's post I went out and test drove the Camry LE. I think that it is more refined than my daughter's hybrid Maverick. I didn't hear all the clicks and assorted noises that characterize the Maverick, in the Camry. It simply just went.

I looked into the "eCVT" and that thing is robust! It actually looks much more like a modified differential than a standard transmission. it is an impressive piece of engineering. The dealer offered me a lifetime warranty on the drive train, and Toyota had a 10 year warranty on the battery.

That said, I think I'm going to stay with my Mazda CX-5 Turbo. It only gets half the gas mileage /gallon, but it is AWD, and more importantly, it is much easier getting in and out of, and the hatch back makes grocery shopping a breeze.... and that means more each year now that I am 70. I buy and hold onto my cars for 20 years. I can't imagine squeezing into that front seat at 85!

If I was 40 I would be very serious about purchasing one. They are built to last. And the price is right at $29K - $32K for the LE without a lot of options (exactly what I liked about it).

And one last thought, being just less than a month out of having 2 discs replaced in my neck, I'm still a little careful about movements although everything feels fine.

 

[JaysOnTheEDGE]

I am liking the hybrid's as well my company gave me a '25 maverick xl hybrid as a fleet truck and so far its getting 33 MPG in the city, with a are topper on the back; and it still moves pretty good for what it is. mileage should go up a little as it breaks in. I'm not ready for 100% electric on a personal vehicle but could deffinately do a hybrid.

 

[ctechbob]

Been on and off shopping for one for the wife this week. Don't know if we'll pull the trigger or not.

Still enjoying the F150, although with the colder weather the MPG's take a bit of a hit since it runs the ICE much more often. Still turning out to be a really good truck.

 

[SigOris]

On the strength of OP's post I went out and test drove the Camry LE. I think that it is more refined than my daughter's hybrid Maverick. I didn't hear all the clicks and assorted noises that characterize the Maverick, in the Camry. It simply just went.

I looked into the "eCVT" and that thing is robust! It actually looks much more like a modified differential than a standard transmission. it is an impressive piece of engineering. The dealer offered me a lifetime warranty on the drive train, and Toyota had a 10 year warranty on the battery.

That said, I think I'm going to stay with my Mazda CX-5 Turbo. It only gets half the gas mileage /gallon, but it is AWD, and more importantly, it is much easier getting in and out of, and the hatch back makes grocery shopping a breeze.... and that means more each year now that I am 70. I buy and hold onto my cars for 20 years. I can't imagine squeezing into that front seat at 85!

If I was 40 I would be very serious about purchasing one. They are built to last. And the price is right at $29K - $32K for the LE without a lot of options (exactly what I liked about it).

And one last thought, being just less than a month out of having 2 discs replaced in my neck, I'm still a little careful about movements although everything feels fine.

just be aware that likely @AzScorpion has bought a bunch of TOYOTA stock, think Tail Gate Dampers and 303 Products.

I'm cautious of endorsements from @AzScorpion and @subquark

Just Say-In

Sponsored